‘Game of Thrones’ review: Things got moving in 'Blood of My Blood'

Well, things certainly got moving this week.

As events heat up for the second half of Game of Thrones’ sixth season we were treated to an episode of surprise returns, rallying battle cries and rediscovery.

Beyond the Wall, Meera continued to drag poor Bran to safety, still warging and seeing visions of past events which included his fall from the tower and Ned’s execution all the way back in Season 1. We were also gifted glimpses of the Mad King and young Ned searching for his sister, Lyanna. But soon the Night King’s army were upon them again and it seemed all hope had been lost.

Cue the timely appearance of a mysterious rider with his face obscured. ‘Come with me. Now! The dead don’t rest,’ the rider told them after he had dispatched their attackers. There was a shock to come later when their rescuer finally revealed himself as Bran’s old uncle Benjen who’d been missing presumed killed. Benjen explained what had happened to him and told Bran the Night King would ‘find his way to the world of men.’

Sam and Gilly were on their way to Horn Hill but Sam was feeling a little anxious about returning home. Although they received a warm welcome from his mother and sister, at dinner Sam’s father, Lord Randyll proved himself as difficult and cantankerous as Sam had remembered. Of course it didn’t help when Gilly accidentally outed herself as a wildling because, of course, Lord Randyll’s views on them were not particularly progressive.

An apoplectic Lord Randyll showed Gilly their family sword, Heartsbane one of the few in Westeros to be forged from Valyrian steel. After launching into a bullying tirade against Sam, ‘he will never wield that sword’, Lord Randyll declared it would be the last night his son ever spent at Horn Hill.

Although at first it seemed Sam would meekly accept his father’s tyrannical demands he came to his senses and realised his place belonged with Gilly and Samwell. As they snuck out of Horn Hill, Sam stopped to take Heartsbane with him stating that ‘he can bloody well try’ when Gilly asked if his father would come after him.

In King’s Landing, the easily led Tommen outlined his concerns about Margaery’s walk of atonement to the High Sparrow who assured him she would be quite safe from any overzealous members of the crowd. Tommen was allowed to see Margaery but he was a little taken aback by her newfound religious outlook.

‘The gods have a plan for us all,’ Margaery told her baffled husband. Later, moving their plan into action, Jaime and Mace Tyrell turned up to rescue Margaery from the High Sparrow but they had been outplayed in a surprising move. The High Sparrow announced to the crowd that Margaery had brought Tommen into the ‘true light of the seven’ but Jaime’s horror was only confirmed when his son declared a Holy Alliance between the Crown and the Faith.

Amid the confusion there was still time for one of Olenna’s classic putdowns, ‘He’s beaten us, that’s what’s happening’, came her retort to Mace’s questioning.

But Jaime’s day could only get worse and he suffered the indignity of his son removing him as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. On top of that Tommen had decided Jaime would leave the city and travel to the Riverlands to assist Walder Frey in his war against the Blackfish. Jaime had other ideas, however, and explained to Cersei about his plan to kill the High Sparrow.

‘He stole our son!’ Jaime raged to his sister. Ever the one with the clear head, Cersei calmly persuaded Jaime to show the world what Lannister’s are by leading the army. ‘They’ve no idea how strong we are. No idea what we’re going to do to them,’ soothed Cersei as brother and sister rekindled their incestuous affair.

Over in Braavos, Arya carried out the next stage of the planned assassination attempt against Lady Crane. Yet Arya found herself quite moved by the actress’s performance and, after speaking with her, she stopped her from drinking the poison.

Following this act of defiance against the Many-Faced God, she recovered Needle from its hiding place. Perhaps at last Arya will reclaim her identity and escape from the endless tedium that is her current storyline?

Back at the House of Black and White, Jaqen and the Waif learned of Arya’s deception. ‘Don’t let her suffer,’ Jaqen requested of his acolyte showing that he still felt some affection towards Arya.

As if the situation in Westeros wasn’t precarious enough, Walder Frey was back in the picture and still as volatile as before. ‘Riverrun is ours. Take it back!’ Walder complained as he spoke about the brutal murders that had taken place during the ‘Red Wedding’. To make his position quite clear, Walder had Edmure brought to the hall and set his latest diabolical scheme in motion.

On their way back to Meereen, Danaerys asked Daario how many ships she’ll need to take her armies to Westeros. ‘You’re a conqueror, Danaerys Stormborn,’ Daario told her a statement that appeared to spark a bit of the Targaryen fire inside her.

After riding off alone, Daario and the Dothraki were entranced when Danaerys returned riding on the back of her beloved Drogon. From the dragon, Danaerys delivered a rallying and passionate speech. After six seasons, has the time finally come for Danaerys to take the Seven Kingdoms?

‘Blood of My Blood’ packed a lot into an episode that brought old players back into the game and teased at Danaerys long-awaited assault on the Iron Throne. With Westeros’ kingdoms teetering on the edge of a knife and enemies surrounding, Game of Thrones is certainly moving towards its endgame.

If anything, it’s bloody good telly.